Tuscany (Missing the Sun)

Unfortunately, I met with some rain and wind during the rest of my visit to Tuscany. But I still managed to visit some beautiful medieval towns. I will just have to be back again to see in the sunshine.

Here is San Gimignano, famous for its 14 towers, all that remain of the original 72. It dates from a period when prosperous families battled, using the their towers o store grain for sieges. They were also conveniently used for dumping boiling oil on attacking enemies.

View from a turret at the fortress in the middle of the town.
The Piazza del Campo in the city of Siena. This is where the Palio still takes place twice a year, when jockeys from the city's 17 districts race bareback horses around the square.

The floors inside the duomo in Siena are covered with beautiful inlaid marble. Look at the intricate designs of the Libreria Piccolomini, in the duomo.

The rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside.

Firenze, Toscana (Florence, Tuscany)

This is the very impressive Duomo in the center of Florence. The city commissioned a cathedral to be built so magnificent that it would be "impossible to make it better or more beautiful with the industry and poser of man." Wow.

The beautiful green, white and red marble walls are really grand, and it is visible from nearly every corner of the city.
Built in 1345, the Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence. The buildings that line the bridge look like they are clinging on for dear life.
A copy of Michaelangelo's David and other sculptures grace the Piazza Della Signoria.

Christmas is here with lots of lights and decorations at the Piazza Della Repubblica.

Look, the Cow Parade has made it's way to Florence too!! It was in Chicago in 1999, hehe. There were colorful cows at all the historical spots all over town.
This is the Boboli Gardens of the Palazzo Pitti, a palace built by a 15th century banker. A backyard with a beautiful view of the city. Not bad!

Venezia at Sunset

I couldn't resist not sharing these pictures! This is my last Venezia. Now you can see why I've fallen in love with this city.